Expats in Costa Rica - Why are so many North Americans living in Costa Rica?

Living in Costa Rica as an expat has a number of advantages.  There are currently over 50,000 Americans living in Costa Rica and more than 15,000 Canadians living in Costa Rica. 

The advantages of living in Costa Rica include:

  1. Lower cost of living
  2. Lower property tax (currently less than $2.00 per $1000 in value)
  3. Ease of Access - Cheap airfare, especially from the US with Delta, AeroMexico, Iberia, US Air, United, American, Spirit Airlines, Jet Blue, Frontier, Thomas Cook, Taca, Lacsa, Air Canada, Transat, Copa and more.
  4. Healthier lifestyle
  5. Less stress
  6. Affordable health care - Both the private healthcare network, which is between a 10th and 1/2 the price of comparable care in the US and the nationalized health care under the CAJA, which will cost a minumum of $75 per month to up to $500 or so depending on how much you declare your income to be from outside of the country that you used to qualify for pensionado status.
  7. Large expat communities
  8. Many Costa Ricans speak English
  9. No quarantine for pets
  10. Part of Central American free trade group
  11. First world infrastructure, Internet, banking
  12. Availability of goods and services
  13. Great climate
  14. No tornadoes or hurricanes 
  15. Livability
  16. High literacy rate
  17. Biodiversity
  18. Longer life expectancy
  19. Organic food sources
  20. Abundant seafood, meat and poultry

In summary Costa Rica has become such a popular location for north American expats looking to live offshore for obvious reasons.  The large number of Americans living in Costa Rica continues to attract more.  Living in Costa Rica as an American has obvious advantages and Costa Rica continues to attract expats in record numbers. 

 

North Americans living in Costa Rica or planning to soon...

Expats in Costa Rica photo log
  • Living in Costa Rica as an American
    Living in Costa Rica as an American
  • Checking out Costa Rica for international living magazine
    Checking out Costa Rica for international living magazine
  • Expats from around the world flock to Costa Rica for retirement
    Expats from around the world flock to Costa Rica for retirement
  • Visiting one of the many national parks. More than 27% of Costa Rica is national park, preserve or protected land.
    Visiting one of the many national parks. More than 27% of Costa Rica is national park, preserve or protected land.
  • fishing in Quepos, Costa Rica
    fishing in Quepos, Costa Rica
  • Costa Rica ranked number one in the happy planet index
    Costa Rica ranked number one in the happy planet index
  • Dave and Erika are Americans that plan to retire in Costa Rica
    Dave and Erika are Americans that plan to retire in Costa Rica
  • In Sierpe
    In Sierpe
  • American couple with plans to retire in Costa Rica
    American couple with plans to retire in Costa Rica
  • Patrick is a Canadian living in Costa Rica Marcel is Dutch and also living in Costa Rica
    Patrick is a Canadian living in Costa Rica Marcel is Dutch and also living in Costa Rica
  • Americans with plans to retire in Costa Rica
    Americans with plans to retire in Costa Rica
  • a day at the beach
    a day at the beach
  • Americans retiring in Costa Rica
    Americans retiring in Costa Rica
  • Another Canadian retiring to Costa Rica
    Another Canadian retiring to Costa Rica
  • We had a wonderful time...
    We had a wonderful time...
  • Visit Costa Rica
    Visit Costa Rica
  • a large group during the International Living conference in Costa Rica
    a large group during the International Living conference in Costa Rica
  • Another property tour of Costa Rica
    Another property tour of Costa Rica
  • Why do so many Americans retire in Costa Rica?
    Why do so many Americans retire in Costa Rica?
  • Retire in Costa Rica?
    Retire in Costa Rica?
  • One of many ;property tour groups
    One of many ;property tour groups
  • Nicaraguens in CostaRica
    Nicaraguens in CostaRica
  • Americans retiring in Costa Rica
    Americans retiring in Costa Rica
  • Sport fishing in Costa rica
    Sport fishing in Costa rica
  • Look a this lifestyle, no wonder so many north Americans are living in Costa Rica
    Look a this lifestyle, no wonder so many north Americans are living in Costa Rica
  • Another great meal during one of our property tours for north Americans living in Costa Rica
    Another great meal during one of our property tours for north Americans living in Costa Rica
  • Zip line through the jungle, enjoy the outdoors, live longer
    Zip line through the jungle, enjoy the outdoors, live longer
  • Jay and Bija own a lot of property in Costa Rica. They are an American couple retiring in Costa Rica
    Jay and Bija own a lot of property in Costa Rica. They are an American couple retiring in Costa Rica
  • expats considering retirement in Costa Rica
    expats considering retirement in Costa Rica
  • relaxing on a Costa Rica real estate tour
    relaxing on a Costa Rica real estate tour
  • Playa Bellena
    Playa Bellena
  • Canadian living in Costa Rica
    Canadian living in Costa Rica
  • Considering living in Costa Rica as an American
    Considering living in Costa Rica as an American
  • Stephanie from Long Island
    Stephanie from Long Island
  • Owners in phase 10
    Owners in phase 10
  • 83 degree ocean water!
    83 degree ocean water!
  • incredible ocean view
    incredible ocean view
  • American Owners in phase 10 with plans to retire in Costa rica
    American Owners in phase 10 with plans to retire in Costa rica